Latest news with #anti-Israeli
Daily Tribune
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
US to leave UNESCO, citing anti-Israel bias
AFP | Paris The United States said yesterday i t would quit UNESCO, saying the UN cultural and education agency, best k n o w n f o r establishing world heritage sites, is biased a g a i n s t Israel and promotes "divisive" causes. P r e s i d e n t Donald Trump had already ordered withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation once before, in 2017 during his first term. President Joe Biden then reestablished US membership. "Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States," State D e p a r t m e n t spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. UNESCO called the US departure -- which it said will take effect in December 2026 -- regrettable, but unsurprising, and said its financial impact would be limited. " I d e e p l y regret President Donald Trump's de - cision to once again withdraw the United States of America from UNESCO," Director-General Audrey Azoulay said, adding the move contradicted fundamental principles of multilateralism. "However regrettable, this announcement was expected, and UNESCO has prepared for it," she said. In recent years, Azoulay said, UNESCO had "undertaken major structural reforms and diversified our funding sources", including with private and voluntary governmental contributions. The US share of UNESCO's total budget currently stands at eight percent, she said. This compares to an estimate of nearly 20 percent a decade ago, according to a UNESCO source who asked not to be named. No staff redundancies were planned, Azoulay said. Bruce described UNESCO as working "to advance divisive social and cultural causes" and being overly focused on UN sustainability goals, which she described as a "globalist, ideological agenda". 'Same as seven years ago' Bruce also highlighted what she said was the body's anti-Israeli position in admitting Palestine as a state. "UNESCO's decision to admit the 'State of Palestine' as a member state is highly problematic, contrary to US policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organisation," Bruce said. The administration has also objected to UNESCO's recognition of heritage sites in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem as Palestinian. Azoulay said the reasons put forward by the United States "are the same as seven years ago" although, she said, "the situation has changed profoundly, political tensions have receded, and UNESCO today constitutes a rare forum for consensus on concrete and action-oriented multilateralism". Washington's claims "contradict the reality of UNESCO's efforts", she added, "especially in the field of Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism". The source at UNESCO described the US move as "purely political, without any real factual base". The organisation had already been "forced" to do without US money for several years after their departure in 2017, the source told AFP. UNESCO adapted but new sources of funding would still need to be found, the source said. 'Always welcome' Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar welcomed on X the US decision: "This is a necessary step, designed to promote justice and Israel's right for fair treatment in the UN system." "The United Nations requires fundamental reforms in order to remain relevant," he said. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, called UNESCO "an organisation that has lost its way" and praised the US for demonstrating "moral clarity in the international arena". French President Emmanuel Macron said on X that UNESCO had his "unwavering support" that would not weaken after the US departure. The UN organisation describes its mission as promoting education, scientific cooperation and cultural understanding. It oversees a list of heritage sites aimed at preserving unique environmental and architectural gems, ranging from Australia's Great Barrier Reef and the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Acropolis of Athens and Pyramids of Egypt. Twenty-six world heritage sites are located in the United States. The UNESCO source said that the United States will continue to be represented on the world heritage committee even after leaving the organisation formally, just as it had in 2017
Sky News AU
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Comedian lampoons Zohran Mamdani winning over the Jewish vote in NYC
Sky News host Rita Panahi reacts to a video by comedian Ami Kozak, commenting on Zohran Mamdani's success in winning over the Jewish New Yorker vote. 'How did this anti-American, anti-Israeli, economically illiterate, hard left socialist win the support of so many Jews?' Ms Panahi said. 'Well, comic Ami Kozak has the answer.'
Al-Ahram Weekly
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
US to leave UNESCO, citing anti-Israel bias - International
The United States said Tuesday it would quit UNESCO, saying the UN cultural and education agency, best known for establishing world heritage sites, is biased against Israel and promotes "divisive" causes. President Donald Trump had already ordered withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation once before, in 2017 during his first term. President Joe Biden then reestablished US membership. "Continued involvement in UNESCO is not in the national interest of the United States," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. UNESCO called the US departure -- which it said will take effect in December 2026 -- regrettable, but unsurprising, and said its financial impact would be limited. "I deeply regret President Donald Trump's decision to once again withdraw the United States of America from UNESCO," Director-General Audrey Azoulay said, adding the move contradicted fundamental principles of multilateralism. "However regrettable, this announcement was expected, and UNESCO has prepared for it," she said. In recent years, Azoulay said, UNESCO had "undertaken major structural reforms and diversified our funding sources", including with private and voluntary governmental contributions. The US share of UNESCO's total budget currently stands at eight percent, she said. This compares to an estimate of nearly 20 percent a decade ago, according to a UNESCO source who asked not to be named. No staff redundancies were planned, Azoulay said. Bruce described UNESCO as working "to advance divisive social and cultural causes" and being overly focused on UN sustainability goals, which she described as a "globalist, ideological agenda". 'Same as seven years ago' Bruce also highlighted what she said was the body's anti-Israeli position in admitting Palestine as a state. "UNESCO's decision to admit the 'State of Palestine' as a member state is highly problematic, contrary to US policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organisation," Bruce said. The administration has also objected to UNESCO's recognition of heritage sites in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem as Palestinian. Azoulay said the reasons put forward by the United States "are the same as seven years ago" although, she said, "the situation has changed profoundly, political tensions have receded, and UNESCO today constitutes a rare forum for consensus on concrete and action-oriented multilateralism". Washington's claims "contradict the reality of UNESCO's efforts", she added, "especially in the field of Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism". The source at UNESCO described the US move as "purely political, without any real factual base". The organisation had already been "forced" to do without US money for several years after their departure in 2017, the source told AFP. UNESCO adapted but new sources of funding would still need to be found, the source said. 'Always welcome' Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'a r welcomed on X the US decision: "This is a necessary step, designed to promote justice and Israel's right for fair treatment in the UN system." "The United Nations requires fundamental reforms in order to remain relevant," he said. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, called UNESCO "an organisation that has lost its way" and praised the US for demonstrating "moral clarity in the international arena". French President Emmanuel Macron said on X that UNESCO had his "unwavering support" that would not weaken after the US departure. The UN organisation describes its mission as promoting education, scientific cooperation and cultural understanding. It oversees a list of heritage sites aimed at preserving unique environmental and architectural gems. Twenty-six world heritage sites are located in the United States. The UNESCO source said that the United States will continue to be represented on the world heritage committee even after leaving the organisation formally, just as it had in 2017. Trump was not the first to pull the United States out of UNESCO. President Ronald Reagan ended US membership in the 1980s, saying the agency was corrupt and pro-Soviet. The United States reentered under the presidency of George W. Bush. The American return under Biden was a major success for Azoulay, who became UNESCO chief in 2017, also because it included a pledge to pay back the US's contribution arrears to the tune of $619 million. On Tuesday, Azoulay said the United States could always return to the fold in the future. "The United States of America is and always will be welcome," she said. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
RTHK
14 hours ago
- Politics
- RTHK
US announces withdrawal from UN cultural body Unesco
US announces withdrawal from UN cultural body Unesco Donald Trump is not the first American president to pull the United States out of the Paris-based UN agency. Photo: Reuters The United States on Tuesday announced it has left Unesco, saying the UN cultural and education agency, known for establishing world heritage sites, is biased against Israel and promotes "divisive" causes. "Continued involvement in Unesco is not in the national interest of the United States," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. The US exit was expected under President Donald Trump, who also ordered withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 2017 during his first term. His successor Joe Biden then re-established US membership. Bruce described Unesco as working "to advance divisive social and cultural causes" and being overly focused on UN sustainability goals, which she described as a "globalist, ideological agenda". She also highlighted what she said was the body's anti-Israeli position in admitting Palestine as a state. "Unesco's decision to admit the 'State of Palestine' as a member state is highly problematic, contrary to US policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organisation," Bruce said. The UN organisation describes its mission as promoting education, scientific cooperation and cultural understanding. It oversees a list of heritage sites aimed at preserving unique environmental and architectural gems, ranging from the Great Barrier Reef off Australia and the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Athens Acropolis and Pyramids of Egypt. Trump was not the first to pull the US out of Unesco. President Ronald Reagan also ended US membership in the 1980s, saying the agency was corrupt and pro-Soviet. The US re-entered under the presidency of George W Bush. (AFP)
New York Post
19 hours ago
- New York Post
Anti-Israeli protester accused of torching NYPD cars charged as supporters cause chaos in court: ‘F–k peace'
A smug anti-Israeli protester charged with torching nearly a dozen NYPD cars was hit with criminal mischief charges Tuesday as a mob of unhinged supporters sparked a near-riot in Brooklyn. Jakhi Lodgson McCray, 21, strolled out of Brooklyn Supreme Court after being arraigned in last month's arson stunt that caused at least $800,000 in damages to police vehicles — with about a dozen keffiyeh-wearing trouble makers who berated cops and reporters with vulgar threats. 5 Supporters of accused cop car arsonist Jakhi Lodgson McCray cursed out police and reporters in Brooklyn court. AP 'You guys are f–king disgusting,' one wanna-be bully told reporters. 'You're a f–king piece of s–t.' One cop asked the mob, 'I thought you guys were all about peace.' 'F–k peace,' one punk fired back. The state court arraignment came one day after McCray, identified by law enforcement sources as a known 'Free Palestine' protester, was arrested on federal arson charges in the car-torching case. 5 Jakhi Lodgson McCray, 21, is charged in state and federal court with torching 11 NYPD vehicles on June 12. via REUTERS 5 Police said 10 NYPD squad cars and one trailer were burned at a Bushwick lot, causing $800,000 in damages. Gabriella Bass The charges stem from the early morning caught-on-camera incident at an NYPD parking lot just one block from the 83rd Precinct station house around 1:30 a.m. on June 12. A surveillance camera at the lot allegedly caught McCray setting fire to 10 squad cars and a police trailer before escaping through a hole in the fence at the Bushwick lot. Police recovered a cigarette lighter, 22 retail fire starters and 10 BBQ dragon egg fire starters at the scene — along with a pair of sunglasses that allegedly had McCray's fingerprints, the federal complaint said. In a statement in the federal case, US Attorney Joseph Nocella called the stunt 'deeply disruptive.' 5 Surveillance camera footage captured the arsonist who torched 11 NYPD vehicles on June 12. DCPI 5 Supporters of accused arsonist Jakhi Lodgson McCray shielded him from cameras and cursed out cops and reporters. In the state case, McCray was charged with criminal mischief, making graffiti and possession of a graffiti instrument, and was released without bail because the charges are not bail-eligible under the state's controversial 2019 criminal justice reforms. According to police, he is also linked to the destruction of a statue at Columbia University during an unruly protest at the Ivy League campus in September. In court Tuesday, McCray wore a dirty red hoodie and a mask, and looked cocky — at one point turning and waving at the group of supporters inside the courtroom. As he left court, three of them covered McCray in keffiyehs while cursing out reporters. He is due to return to court on Aug. 5.
